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Draft Report: Making their pitch

Draft Report: Making their pitch

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By Jonathan Mayo
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MLB.com |

Leading up to the 2008 First-Year Player Draft on June 5, the Draft Report will take a weekly in-depth look at some of the most promising high school and collegiate talent that could comprise this year's Draft class.

The 2008 Minor League season may just be getting under way, but we here at the Draft Report are already in midseason form.

In Week 7 of TDR, we've got nine potential draftees -- six pitchers and three position players -- from the high school and college ranks. That brings us up to 68 players total, for those of you scoring at home.

Before we get to this week's report, here are a few notes to pass along:

Out in Southern California, catcher Kyle Skipworth just set a state record by getting a hit in 18 straight at-bats before finally recording an out. ... LHP John Lamb, who went down with an injury soon after impressing at the Urban Youth Academy Showcase in
February, is on the mend. He had a CT scan on March 25 and was examined by Dr. Jan Fronek the following day. He had the cast on his left arm removed and began rehabbing on the 27th. Lamb will be on a four-week schedule of strengthening and range-of-motion exercises before beginning to throw. ... Finally, on the college front, is there anyone hotter than Georgia SS Gordon Beckham? His stock just keeps on rising. He hit two more homers this past weekend to give him a Division I-leading 15 for the year (to go along with a .454 average, 35 RBIs and an insane 1.487 OPS, which is third in D-I). Oh, and he's swiped eight bases in nine attempts to boot.

Jason Castro, C
Stanford University
After a breakout summer on the Cape, Castro has continued to hit well during his junior season, helping show he's one of the best all-around college backstops in this year's draft class, even though he went 0-for-4 against Sacramento State last Tuesday. Complete Report Video: Jason Castro

Zach Collier, OF
Chino Hills, HS, Calif.
Other prep outfielders in Southern California have gotten more pub, but Collier has put on some power displays to put him firmly on the map. At the high-profile Anaheim Lyons tournament, he had a stretch of games where all of his tools were on display. Complete Report Video: Zach Collier

Evan Crawford, LHP
Auburn University
Settling nicely into a bullpen role, Crawford has gone 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in 14 appearances. In a recent game against Mercer, he allowed just one hit over two scoreless innings in an Auburn victory. Complete Report Video: Evan Crawford

Kevin Eichhorn, RHP
Aptos HS, Calif.
In front of a ton of scouts at the National Classic in Southern California and facing the top-ranked high school team in the nation, Calvert Hall, Eichhorn tossed a complete game while striking out 13. Complete Report Video: Kevin Eichhorn

Nick Maronde, LHP
Lexington Catholic HS, Ky.
Perhaps the top name in a strong group of Kentucky high schoolers, Maronde was impressive in a recent start against Covington Catholic High despite messy weather conditions. Complete Report Video: Nick Maronde

Mike Montgomery, LHP
Hart HS, Valencia, Calif.
Yep, that's right, another California high school lefty on the rise. Montgomery has hit 93 mph with his fastball, and he used it in a recent start against Saugus High to strike out 12 and allow just one run over six innings. Complete Report Video: Mike Montgomery

Ricky Oropesa, 3B
Etiwanda HS, Calif.
A two-way high school standout, Oropesa may have helped solidify his credentials as a hitter by blasting a homer and driving in three runs against La Puenta High School recently. Complete Report Video: Ricky Oropesa

Aaron Pribanic, RHP
University of Nebraska
Pribanic, a 6-foot-4 right-hander, pitched into the eighth inning in a recent start against Oklahoma, allowing two runs and striking out six. Complete Report Video: Aaron Pribanic

Tyson Ross, RHP
University of California
After missing a couple of early appearances, Ross has gone 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA over four starts since his return. Complete Report Video: Tyson Ross

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.